Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,50

he’ll be chatting your head off soon enough.”

“That’s what I hear. To hear my parents’ tell it, if I blink I’ll miss him growing up.”

“I’ve heard that.” She looks around the demolished kitchen. “So, things good here? Do you need me for anything?”

Nope, just you. “We’re good. It looks rough now, but I promise when we’re through it will be magazine-worthy.”

A sad smile crosses her face. “I love this house. The big backyard. I have so many memories of my childhood here. Mom and Dad worked a lot, so I stayed with my grandparents a lot. I’m sad that they’re selling.”

“Great view,” I say, commenting on the backyard that has her rapt attention through the kitchen window.

“I’ll get out of your hair. I have a few errands to run today, and then I’m parking it on the couch with a book.”

She heads toward the door, and I want to reach out for her as she passes and demand she stay here and talk to me. I grip my fists tightly to keep from doing just that. I turn and follow her like a puppy out of the house, not bothering to look at the guys as we head to her car. Instead, I keep my eyes trained on her ass, those long, tanned legs and the gentle sway of her hips.

I should have been paying attention to where I was walking, because she stops suddenly and I barrel into her. My hands land on her hips, keeping her from falling. Keeping her close. She smells incredible, sweet like honey. I rest my chin on the top of her head and soak up the feel of her in my arms. I’m sure any minute now she’s going to pull away from me.

“Ridge,” she whispers.

Instantly, my cock is hard. Her fine ass pressed against me, my name falling from her lips—how the fuck am I supposed to resist that? “Kendall,” I growl, turned the fuck on.

“I-I should go.”

Fuck. I know she’s right; plus, I have work to do. I’m not getting paid to try and fuck the granddaughter of the home owner, but I want to. Oh, how I want to. Instead, I bring my mouth next to her ear. “Drive safe, sweet girl.” My lips land on her cheek and then I step away. I have to make myself release her. She doesn’t bolt like I expect her to, just stands stock still, the only movement the rapid rise and fall of her chest. She’s just as affected; her body confirmed it.

I watch as she takes a deep breath and slowly releases it. Turning to look over her shoulder, those baby blues lock on me. “Good-bye, Ridge,” she murmurs.

I don’t get time to reply as she quickly turns around and takes the final few steps to her car. I stand there like a lovesick fool and watch her drive away.

“Break’s over,” one of the guys’ yells—I think it’s Mark.

I’m not ready for their mocking. They’re going to give me shit about this for the rest of the day. I knew that, but it didn’t stop me. There’s just something about her that reels me in. I slowly turn and walk back toward the house, not that getting there any slower is going to prevent what my friends have in store for me.

“You good, man? You need a tissue or something?” Kent asks. He’s trying to keep a straight face.

“Trouble in paradise?” Seth chimes in.

“I bet I can get her to say yes to a date before you can,” Tyler says, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

“Don’t even fucking think about it,” I warn him.

“She’s fair game, brother. Unless you’re calling dibs,” he fires back.

Yes, I’m fucking calling dibs! “Can we just agree that she’s not available?”

“Fuck, man. Have you seen her? Why the hell would we let her get away? One of us—” Mark points around the group “—needs to hit that.”

“Not fucking happening.” My voice is low and stern. Not that my friends are the least bit affected. No, the assholes laugh at me.

“One of us has to call dibs for the rest to back off,” Kent states, reminding us of the pact we made years ago.

Mark opens his mouth, “I—”

“Mine,” I spit out, interrupting him. No way will I let them have her; she’s too sweet for any of them. Too sweet for me. They’ve forced my hand, but that doesn’t mean I have to act on it. I called dibs, which means they leave her be.

“Remember, you